Ukraine War: Russia Confirms New Talks with Ukraine & US in Geneva

Geneva is set to host a new round of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, commencing February 17 and continuing through February 18, with the United States acting as mediator. The confirmation of the talks comes as both nations continue to engage in active combat and long-range strikes, nearly four years into the conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday that the meeting would proceed, as reported by state news agency TASS. Ukraine’s communications advisor, Dmytro Lytvyn, also confirmed the upcoming negotiations. This will be the third round of trilateral talks this year, following previous discussions held in Abu Dhabi. However, this marks the first time the negotiations will take place on European soil.

While previous rounds of talks, including those in Abu Dhabi in January and early February, were described as “constructive,” no significant breakthroughs have been publicly announced. The discussions have yielded some limited progress, notably a temporary pause in attacks on energy infrastructure agreed to in late January, followed by the first prisoner exchange in five months after the Abu Dhabi meetings. However, that pause in strikes on critical infrastructure lasted only four days, ending with a renewed barrage of drone and missile attacks from Russia.

The renewed talks are occurring against a backdrop of escalating hostilities. Kyiv continues to receive substantial financial and military assistance from Western nations, enabling its defense against the ongoing Russian invasion. Simultaneously, Russia maintains its relentless bombardment of Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, alongside Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military-related assets within Russia.

A significant development preceding the Geneva talks is a change in the composition of the Russian negotiating team. Former Culture Minister and Presidential Advisor Vladimir Medinsky will now lead the Russian delegation. Medinsky previously participated in direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul last year, and in initial talks shortly after the full-scale invasion began. He replaces Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service, who led the Russian side in the Abu Dhabi discussions.

The shift in leadership of the Russian delegation signals a potential recalibration of Moscow’s approach to the negotiations. Medinsky’s prior involvement in direct talks suggests a willingness to engage in more open dialogue, although the practical implications remain uncertain. His previous role also indicates a degree of political authority within the Kremlin, potentially allowing him greater latitude in discussions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently stated that the United States has proposed a deadline of June for reaching a deal to end the conflict. However, previous deadlines set by the U.S. Have passed without yielding a comprehensive agreement. Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about receiving a positive response from Russia, citing continued attacks as evidence of Moscow’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith. “We have not received any response from the Russians,” Zelenskyy said this week. “If anything, one could say the opposite — we received responses in the form of drones and missile attacks.”

The upcoming talks in Geneva take place just before the conflict enters its fifth year, highlighting the protracted nature of the war and the immense challenges facing negotiators. The meeting will be closely watched by international observers, who remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects for a lasting ceasefire or a broader political settlement. The continued fighting and the lack of substantial progress in previous rounds of negotiations underscore the deep divisions between the two sides and the complexity of the issues at stake.

The future of Ukraine’s Donbas region, largely occupied by Russian forces, remains a key point of contention. Previous U.S.-led efforts to find common ground on this issue have failed to produce results. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian consequences, with widespread destruction of infrastructure and displacement of populations. The international community continues to call for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the path forward remains unclear.

Despite the grim outlook, the continuation of negotiations, even without immediate breakthroughs, is seen by some as a positive sign. The mere fact that both sides are willing to remain at the table suggests a degree of commitment to finding a diplomatic solution, however elusive it may be. The involvement of the United States as a mediator is also considered crucial, providing a neutral platform for dialogue and facilitating communication between the two warring parties.